Travel News
6 tips for getting your way when you travel
The thought of spending 11 hours in a locked and upright position didn't put Elyse Weiner in a good mood. But you wouldn't have known it.
6 tips for getting your way when you travel
The thought of spending 11 hours in a locked and upright position didn't put Elyse Weiner in a good mood. But you wouldn't have known it.
One airline ticket for the price of two
Llouellynde Orahood's flight from Los Angeles to Dallas has all the makings of a trip from hell, including weather delays, cancellations and almost-missed flights. What could be worse? Having to pay again for the same tickets. Now, neither the airlines nor her online travel agency is willing to help her recover the money she should have never had to spend. Is there any hope for a refund?
Canada's secret slopes
All Olympic eyes will be on Whistler Blackcomb next year as it hosts the 2010 Winter Games' alpine skiing events. But those in the know will be heading to British Columbia's vast, snowy interior for its cool old-school mountain towns and the best powder and terrain in North America.
DJ van Dyk bridges the divide in Berlin
One of the biggest-name dance DJs in the world, Paul van Dyk is in demand at clubs and festivals from Las Vegas to Ibiza.
Behave when things don't go your way
Thinking of throwing a tantrum the next time things don't go your way when you travel? Consider what happened to Gary Zeune before you do.
Phoenix police find more than 1,000 pieces of stolen luggage
Ever flown through Phoenix, Arizona, and had your bag go missing?
No credit for card tricks
On second thought, maybe you should leave home without it.
3 Northeastern weekend escapes
Enjoy the seaside charms of southern Maine, antiquing in the Hudson River Valley and Virginia's emerging wine country.
Late season hot spots for leaf peepers
U.S. trees are exploding in brilliantly colorful fall foliage this year in many regions, thanks to stellar growing conditions and excellent temperatures, say experts.
'Commissioner of Tailgating' offers pregame tips
Joe Cahn calls tailgates the last great American neighborhoods.
America's cool college towns
On a recent afternoon along Church Street in Burlington, Vermont, young aspiring actors recited passages from Shakespeare's Henry V as jugglers, break-dancers, and blowers of didgeridoos displayed their skills nearby, creating a visual and aural cacophony. Just another day in a thriving college town -- this one happening to be home to the University of Vermont.
Tips for healthy, happy travels
It was my last day in Athens after spending several weeks producing two exciting television shows on Greece. My brain was fried. I was concerned I was getting a cold, and I felt that getting sick was God's way of telling me to slow down. Instead of heading out on a shoot, I ditched work and spent the day lounging poolside on the rooftop of my hotel. Thankfully, it worked. The next day, I felt recharged.
Cemeteries breathe life into tourists
He's chipped his way through more than a foot of snow and ice to get to Ernest Hemingway. He's walked right up to Al Capone and Karl Marx. He's dragged his mom to visit the infamous cannibal Alferd Packer and just came back from seeing Farrah Fawcett.
Airline pilots struggle to stay focused
The challenges inherent in getting a 162,000-pound aircraft off the ground and landing it safely are pretty obvious to most observers. But at cruising altitude, above 10,000 feet, pilots face a different critical challenge: staying focused.
An unmade bed -- and no place to go
When Erin Hott checks into her hotel, she's shown to a room with an unmade bed. When she asks for clean sheets, an employee tells her they can't change her linen until the next day. And if she doesn't like it, she can find another hotel, but she'll still have to pay for her room. Whatever happened to customer service?
A postcard-perfect Austrian ski trip
I've never seen such wide open slopes -- no trees, no houses, just field after field of newly fallen snow.
Surviving the Talkative Airplane Seatmate
All I wanted to do was to fall asleep in my tiny seat on the last leg of a grueling day of air travel, when I was cornered by the Talkative Airplane Seatmate -- a species oblivious to yawns and one-word answers.
World travelers: America wants you
Kenyan artist Nicholas Sironka received a warm welcome to the United States when he first visited in 1999 -- a reception he's missed since.
Bullfights, snails a taste of Andalucia
If you're like most Americans, your image of Spain is the region of Andalucia, famous for windswept landscapes, whitewashed hill towns, flamenco and gazpacho.
Quincy Jones: Science and soul
Quincy Jones moved to Seattle as a child and discovered a passion for music that would bring him global success as a musician, composer and producer. He talks to CNN about music, working with Michael Jackson, and the city he grew up in.
Learning to drink like a local in Qingdao
Another round of toasts and exclamations of "hajiu" sounded out around me. I took a sip and set down my small glass of Tsingtao beer as my new friends downed theirs and refilled. Our seafood dinner, perched on the single cluttered table of a tiny antique shop, was punctuated regularly by such moments.
Flight innovations you'll love
It's all the rage to criticize the airlines. But we found some smart, practical initiatives that point the way to a better future.
From the seedy to the sublime in Frankfurt
Cosmopolitan Frankfurt, while low on Old World charm, offers a good look at today's no-nonsense, modern Germany. If you're a budget traveler, you'll likely fly into or out of this major hub for discount airlines.
Brussels: One of Europe's great secrets
Six hundred years ago, Brussels was just a nice place to stop and buy a waffle on the way to France. Today, it's a city of 1.8 million, the capital of Belgium, the headquarters of NATO and the political center of the European Union. It may be easy to skip as you zip from Amsterdam to Paris by train, but its rich brew of food and culture pleasantly surprises those who stop. Its magnificent grand square, rightly named La Grand Place, alone makes a visit worthwhile.
How to spot a hotel in foreclosure
From the outside, the Puerto Rican inn that Pablo Solomon checked into looked like it belonged on the cover of a slick vacation brochure. The landscaping seemed immaculate, the lawn was freshly trimmed, and the pool an inviting shade of blue.
Tips to fight your travel credit card dispute
When Carla DeLuca canceled her room at the W Hotel Union Square in New York a week before her arrival, the hotel decided to ding her for a night's stay anyway.
Billed twice for one night
When Best Western bills Angela Williams-McGill twice for the same night, she incurs a bank overdraft fee and then waits months for a refund. But the hotel never pays her back, and all she has to show for her efforts is a claim number. Is there anything she could have done to prevent this? And what about the refund?
One day less costs three times more?
Alexandra Seldin prepays for a rental car through Alamo's Web site. But when her flight is canceled, and she arrives a day late, the company charges her three times more than it originally said it would. Is it allowed to do that? And is there any hope for a refund?
No refund for canceled Vegas vacation
Ethel Schweitzer's husband falls ill before a trip to Las Vegas, and the couple cancels their vacation. Now US Airways wants to keep their money. Why can't it offer them a refund?
Double trouble with my hotel points
Nicholas Czapor books four Hilton hotel stays through a double points promotion. But the points never show up in his account, and now Hilton is offering him only a fraction of the promised award. Can it do that? And what recourse, if any, does Czapor have?
My ticket price fell -- how about a refund?
Mary McInnis-Efaw buys a package to Hawaii through United Vacations. But when the price of her ticket falls by $733, United refuses to offer her a voucher for the fare difference. Is it allowed to do that?
Socked for my friend's single supplement
When Sue Koopman cancels her vacation, her friend is presented with a bill for a $375 single supplement. If she doesn't pay it immediately, the tour operator threatens to cancel her friend's vacation. Can it do that? And is there any hope for getting a refund of the $375 fee after it's paid?
Claim denied on a terrorism technicality
Diane Gandara cancels her vacation to New Delhi after the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. But her insurance company won't honor her claim because she wasn't visiting Mumbai. Is the $7,300 she spent on her trip lost?
Ghosts, goblins and more fall fun
Seen any ghosts lately?
Expert advice on ghost hunting
Professional ghost hunters weigh in on how to keep your sixth sense in tune, where to go to meet the undead, and what to do if something spooky follows you home. Happy hunting!
Mass appeal in the Berkshires
The fall foliage has always made Massachusetts' Berkshires region one of America's most beautiful driving destinations. But lately, the thriving art scene is drawing its own share of peeps.
Best affordable fall adventures
The changing leaves are just one lure for outdoor adventurers during the fall season. The tourist crowds of July and August have dissipated, and in many spots, the blistering summer heat has passed. And happily, an abundance of premier tour operators offer ready-made autumn adventures that are relatively easy on the wallet. They bring expert guides and top-quality gear and arrange all meals and accommodations -- you just bring your thirst for adventure.
Crew of wayward airliner cooperative, sober, police say
Police met a wayward jet that overshot the runway by 150 miles -- while not responding to control tower communications -- and said the pilots were "cooperative, apologetic and appreciative."
Ghost-hunting advice from the pros
Professional ghost hunters weigh in on how to keep your sixth sense in tune, where to go to meet the undead, and what to do if something spooky follows you home. Happy hunting!
Airliner crew flies 150 miles past airport
A Northwest Airlines flight from San Diego, California, overshot the Minneapolis, Minnesota, airport by about 150 miles Wednesday evening, and federal investigators are looking into whether the pilots had become distracted, as they claimed, or perhaps fell asleep.
US Airways Capt. Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger returns to cockpit
US Airways Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles were reunited in the cockpit Thursday for the first time since Sullenberger safely landed a disabled passenger plane in the Hudson River in January.
US Airways, United face FAA fines for safety violations
The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday proposed fines against two of the nation's largest airlines, saying the airlines flew planes on hundreds of occasions in violation of FAA or airline safety standards.
Flight innovations you'll love
It's all the rage to criticize the airlines. But we found some smart, practical initiatives that point the way to a better future.
Learning to drink like a local in Qingdao, China
Another round of toasts and exclamations of "hajiu" sounded out around me. I took a sip and set down my small glass of Tsingtao beer as my new friends downed theirs and refilled. Our seafood dinner, perched on the single cluttered table of a tiny antique shop, was punctuated regularly by such moments.
Why 2010 will be the year of the travel deal
If you thought the travel bargains were unbelievable this year, just wait until 2010.
Billed twice for one night
When Best Western bills Angela Williams-McGill twice for the same night, she incurs a bank overdraft fee and then waits months for a refund. But the hotel never pays her back, and all she has to show for her efforts is a claim number. Is there anything she could have done to prevent this? And what about the refund?
Study: Flight delays to get worse as economy improves
Percy von Lipinski figures he flies about 100,000 miles a year. He knows he's going to see a healthy share of flight delays regardless of where he goes.
Check out the Chunnel for low-hassle travel
Europe is investing in its infrastructure, and travelers know the results are breathtaking. With the English Channel tunnel, trains speed from Big Ben to the Eiffel Tower in about 2.5 hours. You zip under the English Channel in 20 minutes ... looking out the window for fish.
Why does one day less cost three times more?
Alexandra Seldin prepays for a rental car through Alamo's Web site. But when her flight is canceled, and she arrives a day late, the company charges her three times more than it originally said it would. Is it allowed to do that? And is there any hope for a refund?
Curry festival spices up London
Britons are famed for their love of curry and, over the years, the country's taste for South Asian food has evolved into a unique blend of cuisine specially created for British palates.
Olympic-worthy cities to see, win or lose
From hot dogs in the American heartland to the sexy samba on South American beaches, from traditional Kabuki theater amid high-tech modernity to European culture and sophistication, four international cities hope to showcase what they have to offer the world on the Olympic stage.
A hurricane hit my hotel -- where's my refund?
Kristin Budden's hotel promises her a refund for her nonrefundable hotel room after a hurricane strikes. But months later, there's no sign of the money and the hotel has gone into radio silence. Should she kiss the money goodbye?
The lowdown on airline food
If you were a TWA first-class passenger traveling from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco, California, in October 1970, your menu read more like a feast for the Sun King than a precooked meal heated in a convection oven.
Yellowstone fire grows; park still open
A wildfire in Yellowstone National Park has grown to 9,300 acres and closed a section of the main road through the park, but Yellowstone is still open and National Park Service officials said Monday there was no danger to travelers.
Five insider strategies for avoiding a hotel billing error
Meet Dave Howell. Not to be confused with ... Dave Howell.
Pittsburgh airport scene of high-profile arrivals for G-20
For Pittsburgh International Airport, the Group of 20 summit is like the Sunday after Thanksgiving: the busiest flying day of the year, with world leaders instead of holiday travelers.
Pittsburgh: From grime to glam
Just 10 years ago, you couldn't mention the words "posh" and "Pittsburgh" in the same sentence without a collective laugh. Not anymore.
No refund for canceled Vegas vacation
Ethel Schweitzer's husband falls ill before a trip to Las Vegas, and the couple cancels their vacation. Now US Airways wants to keep their money. Why can't it offer them a refund?
Air travelers, others speak out on passenger bill of rights
Airline passengers who were trapped on tarmacs "like sardines in a can" had their opportunity to air their grievances Tuesday at an unofficial Capitol Hill hearing that shared some of the characteristics of those flights.
Rick Steves' packing strategy
Wearing a green T-shirt under a blue work shirt, I'm about to depart for Europe. At my farewell breakfast -- one last eggs-any-style -- my stylish, college-aged daughter says to me, "You look like a scrub. OK if you're painting a house."
Climbing Table Mountain a must
A trip abroad is never really complete until I've taken at least one long (possibly lethal) nature hike. Maybe it's my love for fresh air, or maybe it's my constant need for a change of scenery. But, usually, it's simply because somebody tells me it's part of the merit badge requirement.
From carry-on to eBay: The journey of airport security booty
A 20-inch machete from Costa Rica. New power drills with the tags still hanging. A pile of brass knuckles and nunchucks. Tubs of golf clubs, baseball bats and 10-pound exercise weights.
Stricter punishments for passengers behaving badly
On a recent Southwest Airlines flight, a man dropped his pants and exposed himself to the female passenger sitting next to him, then punched her, according to an FBI affidavit. The plane was in midair, and the naked man reportedly grew angrier, screaming uncontrollably and shaking his fist in the air.
My ticket price fell -- how about a refund?
Mary McInnis-Efaw buys a package to Hawaii through United Vacations. But when the price of her ticket falls by $733, United refuses to offer her a voucher for the fare difference. Is it allowed to do that?
Travel mishaps with a silver lining
The car breaks down. The lover jilts you mid-trip. The hotel turns out to be a dump.
Good timing, Good Hope turn travel day around
The very best travel days often happen when good karma and perfect timing collide. And, somehow, on this morning, it also took a bit of tequila. Of course, normally, the latter ingredient tends to be counterintuitive. But not here.
Pre-emptive triage up for bleeding airlines
Gearing up for further bloodletting, airlines seem to be performing pre-emptive triage.
Get results by social networking with airlines
You're delayed at the airport. It's going to be hours before the airline can get you on another flight. You log onto your computer and answer your e-mails. You surf the Web for a while. You're still waiting. This is taking way too long.
Sea sickness and shark diving
The girl sleeping in the bunk above me either had Swine Flu, SARS, Tuberculosis or some sort of perfect storm of all three, because she managed to hack and snort throughout the entire night in an almost exact pattern of: Hack. Hack. Hack. Snort. Snort.
Pre-emptive triage up for bleeding airlines
Gearing up for further bloodletting, airlines seem to be performing pre-emptive triage.
Airport screeners get kit to test for dangerous powders
The Transportation Security Administration is giving its airport checkpoint officers a new tool: a kit to test for explosive powders.
